Kansas Is Rightfully Back Atop The Big 12

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After the Big 12 Power Rankings experienced plenty of change throughout non-conference play, they've now developed some relatively steady order following weeks of conference play. Currently, we have six or seven teams who look to be in position to contend, or at least compete, in the Big 12, with a few teams living up to preseason hype and some overachieving thus far.

This season, the Big 12 conference again looks like a powerhouse in the nation and well on its way to sending multiple teams to the Big Dance in March. Of course, No. 9 Kansas will most likely find itself listed in the Associated Press weekly, but now the likes of No. 13 Kansas State and No. 14 Oklahoma State are definitely primed to give the conference’s powerhouse a run for their money as well.

The league added two teams to the conference this offseason, in West Virginia and TCU, who started off their respective residences in the Big 12 on positive notes. TCU found solid success early on, and West Virginia has also won their fair-share of non-conference battles as well. But, TCU has fallen off quite a bit as WVU tries to establish a presence in the Big 12.

With plenty more basketball to be played, expect some more action in the power rankings come Week 16. But for now, let’s enjoy what was a wild Week 15 in Big 12 basketball, including a couple big rivalry games.

In the following slides, we’ll recap each Big 12 team’s successes and failures this week and look forward to the week ahe

Jake Fischer is the CAA Columnist for Rant Sports-NCAA Basketball. He will also be contributing weekly Big 12 Power Rankings during the 2012-2013 NCAAB season every Tuesday. Make sure to follow Jake on Twitter @JakeLFischer.

No. 10- Texas Tech Red Raiders

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Overall: 9-14, 2-10

Last Week: 0-2 (Oklahoma State, West Virginia)

These power rankings are created based on a "What Have You Done For Me Lately" basis. With that, the Texas Tech Red Raiders' have now lost six-straight games including an 0-2 week when they got embarrassed by Oklahoma State at home, 91-67. They will have serious problems even competing during the final stretch of conference play.

Next week, Texas Tech will take host Oklahoma and then visit Iowa State and K-State.

No. 9- TCU Horned Frogs

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Overall: 10-15, 1-11

Last Week: 0-1 (Iowa State)

While the TCU Horned Frogs upset the then No. 5 Kansas Jayhawks a few weeks ago, the new meat of the Big 12 have now lost three-straight games and have fallen back down to earth. It's been a rough opening campaign for the Horned Frogs in the Big 12, first-year head coach Ted Johnson will probably be looking forward to the offseason and a chance to go out and recruit more talent.

Next week, TCU will host Texas on Tuesday and visit Kansas on Saturday.

No. 8- Texas Longhorns

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Overall: 11-14, 3-9

Last Week: 1-1 (Iowa State, Kansas)

The Texas Longhorns impressively defeated Iowa State this week, but turned around and got absolutley dismantled by head coach Bill Self's club down in Lawrenceville. This team just continues to ride a roller coaster season.

Next week, the Longhorns will visit TCU on Tuesday and take on No. 13 K-State at home on Saturday.

No. 7- West Virginia Mountaineers

Richard Mackson

Overall: 13-13, 6-7

Last Week: 1-2 (Baylor, Texas Tech, Kansas State)

While the West Virginia Mountaineers did lose two games on the road last week, the new member of the Big 12 looks like they have found a relative comfort zone in their new conference and have a chance to win a game or two in the conference tournament.

No. 6- Baylor Bears

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Overall: 16-9, 7-5

Last Week: 1-1 (West Virginia, Kansas State)

A team that started off the 2012-2013 season in the Top 25 of the Associated Press' college basketball poll, the Baylor Bears have really fallen off this season. While they still have remained formidable enough behind Pierre Jackson and Isaiah Austin to still have a chance to compete in the Big 12 and make a run for a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Next week, the Bears will have tough contests against Iowa State on Wednesday and Oklahoma on Saturday.

No. 5- Oklahoma Sooners

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 16-8, 7-5

Last Week: 0-1 (Oklahoma State)

The Oklahoma Sooners expectedly fell to their in-state rival, then No. 17 Oklahoma State Cowboys, on the road this past week, but they did compete. In fact, the Sooners were up by as many as 11 points on OK-State in the contest, which is something to hang their hats on in an adverse environment.

Next week, Oklahoma will play at Texas Tech on Wednesday and vs Baylor on Saturday.

No. 4- Iowa State Cyclones

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Overall: 17-8, 7-5

Last Week: 1-1 (Texas, TCU)

The Iowa State Cyclones looked to be like a real contender for a spot in the AP Top 25 following a victory over then No. 11 Kansas State on January 26. But, since then, the Cyclones have been an average 3-3 and recently fell to a disappointing Texas team this past week. If they can pull it all together down the stretch, this team can still compete in the conference tournament, however.

Next week, Iowa State will play Baylor on Wednesday and travel to Texas Tech on Saturday.

No. 3- Kansas State Wildcats

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Overall: 21-5, 10-3

Last Week: 2-0 (Baylor, West Virginia)

The No. 13 Kansas State Wildcats squandered their chances at remaining in the Top 25 of the AP Poll last week. However, behind Rodney McGruder and Angel Rodriguez, the Wildcats will most likely remain the poll for the remainder of the season and will contend for a 2 or 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament as well.

Next week, K-State will travel to Texas on Wednesday and host Texas Tech on Saturday.

No. 2- Oklahoma State Cowboys

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 19-5, 9-3

Last Week: 2-0 (Texas Tech, Oklahoma )

The No. 17 Oklahoma State Cowboys have now won seven-straight games and are deserving of their rank in the AP Top 25 poll. While Marcus Smart continues to improve his draft stock, OK-State will continue to improve and jump in the polls and may even deserve a spot in the Top 10.

Next week, the Cowboys will battle No. 9 Kansas on Wednesday and visit West Virginia on Saturday.

No. 1- Kansas Jayhawks

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 21-4, 9-3

Last Week: 1-0 (Texas)

While, they did lose three-straight games, the Kansas Jayhawks are still clearly a deep and talented team. Bill Self's tough love on his team definitely proved valuable when they defeated Kansas State and followed up that victory with a 26-point shellacking of Texas on Saturday.

Next week, Kansas will visit Oklahoma State on Wednesday and then finish the week off vs. TCU and Iowa State.